Chapter: 608
As soon as we arrived at my grandmother’s house, we were greeted with a torrent of cheerful welcomes.
Especially the Fire Spirit King, who had been sitting atop the World Tree, dove down when he saw us, and I could almost hear the sound of the air splitting apart—like a fighter jet approaching.
“It’s been a while. I’ve been waiting for you.”
His words left me dumbfounded. It’s fascinating to hear someone who boasts a life close to immortality say “it’s been a while” over just a few months. However, his gaze was fixed not on me, but on the triplets.
He wasn’t even trying to be subtle about it; he turned his head 45 degrees to openly stare at the triplets as if I didn’t exist at all.
“… Yes, it has been a while.”
As I reluctantly spoke, the Fire Spirit King cleared his throat awkwardly and then turned his attention back to me.
Too late, you fiery brat. You called me all the way here just to ignore me? Do kings get to act like this?
‘Technically, they do.’
After all, he’s the very king who’s supposed to bless my kids. Even if he told me to go away and left nothing but the children, I might hesitate for a moment.
“Sorry. I just haven’t seen such young elves in a while.”
“It’s fine. I’m happy to see your interest in my children.”
Since he offered a sincere apology, I nodded casually. If he knows he’s being rude, there’s no need to hold a grudge.
“Hmm. They’re adorable. New life is always a wonder.”
“Yes, even after the World Tree burned down, the elves’ lineage has endured. It’s heartwarming.”
Eventually, the Water Spirit King, loaded with fairies on his back, and the Wind Spirit King approached as well.
It feels strange. Is it a destiny for bipedal beings to carry children on their backs? Why is it that in my mansion, the palace, and here, the backs of all creatures seem to be taken over by kids?
“Elin! Elin!”
“It’s been a while! Hello!”
Anyway, the fairies that appeared with the spirit kings began to flutter around me.
“Yeah, it’s been a while. Have you been well?”
“Yep! I’ve been great! Super great!”
“I’m with Mommy! We’re together every day! Happy! Happy!”
“The World Tree! It’s so cozy! I love it!”
“Earth Auntie plays with me every day! Earth Auntie is so fun!”
As I listened to the nonstop chatter from the fairies, the mention of “Earth Auntie” made me glance back at the spirit kings.
The Fire Spirit King, who resembled a hawk. The Water Spirit King, who looked like a turtle. The Wind Spirit King, who had the appearance of a tiger.
“… Where is the Earth Spirit King?”
The fan-favorite talking snake, the Earth Spirit King, was nowhere to be seen.
“Oh, there he is.”
The Fire Spirit King, with his beak flapping, cautiously looked back.
‘Ah.’
As I followed his gaze, a sigh escaped me.
The Earth Spirit King was flying, appearing lifeless, dragged by multiple fairies grabbing onto him.
‘Is he a sack of potatoes or something?’
It was such a pitiful sight that I nearly shed a tear. Who would think this entity, a divine friend and pinnacle of the spirits, would look so pitiable?
The spirit kings, who were ready to shower blessings upon the triplets at the mere sight of them, surprisingly didn’t unleash their blessings right away.
“Now, this is your great-great-grandmother.”
“Umm?”
“Well, it might be difficult right now. Just know she loves you very much.”
“Beya!”
Instead of blessings, it seemed a cozy moment with their great-grandmother came first.
The triplets were seated on the ground, scanning their unfamiliar surroundings. It wouldn’t be strange for them to cry, but instinctively recognizing it was their family’s home, they erupted into giggles at Trixie’s words.
“Beyaaa!”
They then reached out to their great-grandmother, showing her their interest.
These kids aren’t naive; they realize that their great-grandmother looks remarkably similar to Trixie, except for her hair color, ear length, and a few wrinkles. It’s natural for them to feel intrigued and affectionate towards someone who resembles their beloved mother.
“Beya!”
After reaching out for quite some time, Katlea showed her frustration.
How dare you not pick her up when she’s reaching out to be held? It must feel like the end of the world for Katlea.
“Grandma! Those kids love to be held!”
“C-Can I hold them?”
Despite Katlea’s fierce fury and Trixie’s gentle encouragement, Grandma was still indecisive. If she hadn’t hesitated at all, she would’ve snatched up the triplets the moment she saw them.
“Of course! It’s only natural for a great-granddaughter to be held by her great-great-grandmother.”
“Beya!”
Trixie’s words seemed to click for Katlea, who started chirping in agreement.
Whether her babble meant she understood or it was merely coincidental, it was enough to stir Grandma’s heart.
“I… I’m going to hold… a child…”
Finally, Grandma extended her trembling hands to hold Katlea, Cecilia, and Maria.
“… It’s been since Ariadne was little…”
Soon enough, tears welled up in Grandma’s eyes.
For someone who hadn’t witnessed her granddaughter’s baby years, this warmth must feel like a sensation she hasn’t experienced in hundreds of years.
“Umm, um.”
“Um, um?”
Maria, with her big, curious eyes, gently tapped Grandma’s arm.
“Um, um… Big… um.”
It was strange. Maria’s babble sounded subtly different from the usual.
As if she was attempting to say something—
“Cha… Cake, cha… cake…”
“Ma-Maria?”
“Ehh.”
When actual words, not babbles, escaped Maria’s lips, both Trixie and I were taken aback.
Our eldest; she knows how to tug at a father’s heartstrings.
*
As I lay sprawled on the ground under the elder’s house, absorbing the noise around me, I gazed blankly at the sky.
“That’s unexpected. I thought they’d start showering blessings the moment the kids arrived.”
As I lay on the ground, the Water Spirit King ambled over.
“I’d love to do that, but blessings are more of a means than a goal, aren’t they? It wouldn’t make sense to interfere with a family reunion just to bless them—if it hurts their hearts, it’ll be pointless.”
“Uh-huh, very Fire Spirit-like to care on the warm side.”
I almost replied, “So you’re cold because you’re water?” But I bit my tongue. With that logic, the Earth Spirit King, who is constantly pestered by fairies, might soon find himself buried in the ground.
“More importantly, how does it feel to see them in person?”
At the Water Spirit King’s question, I turned my head back toward the elder’s house.
How does it feel to see them? Honestly, it’s not even worth answering. Surely, the Water Spirit King must’ve felt what I felt.
“They’re incredible.”
Still, I couldn’t help but speak. I couldn’t suppress the excitement bubbling within me.
“Katlea, you said? The youngest of the three has considerable talent. More than we expected.”
“It seems I’m not imagining things. Thank goodness.”
Their opinions matched up. One claim might be a delusion, but when two share an opinion, it’s the truth.
And if both the Water Spirit King and the Earth Spirit King, who is playing with the human emperor’s children, share that notion, then it’s definitely true.
“Wow! Wow!”
“Hold on tight! You might fall!”
“Okay! I’ll be careful!”
“Eeeek!”
Hmm.
“… Can I ask about it later?”
“Let’s hold off on that. Getting involved now won’t bring any benefits.”
The Wind Spirit King, kindly smiling as he carries the emperor’s children, and the Earth Spirit King, being swept through the air with his tail caught—thank goodness I didn’t choose to take on a snake form.
I’m sincerely relieved.
*
I had to temporarily leave the Crown Princess unattended so the great-grandmother and great-granddaughters could reunite, but thankfully, the Crown Princess entertained herself well under the Head Maid’s watchful eye.
Elves, fairies, spirits, and the World Tree all gathered in unusual droves, so if the young Crown Princess didn’t have fun, that would be the real surprise.
“Teb! Teb!”
Seeing the Crown Princess run towards me alongside the Wind Spirit King made me smile.
Ah, the Earth Spirit King is with them too! His flowing movements are so seamless that I thought he was a rope or something.
“Over here! So cool! There’s so much cool stuff!”
“Are you having fun?”
“Yep!”
I patted the head of the Crown Princess, who nodded proudly.
This place, a society of different races, clearly differs from human society. If the young Crown Princess has a positive impression here, then it can only mean good news for human and non-human relations in the future.
“Despite the different appearances, this is also a place where you can enjoy yourself, Your Highness. It’s no different from the palace or my home.”
“Yep! Right! It’s all fun!”
“Well, that’s good.”
Establishing the notion that ‘This area for other races isn’t any different from the palace’ is more than enough for the young Crown Princess. At her age, that alone would instill a good worldview.
“That’s excellent education indeed. Just because their appearances differ doesn’t mean their essences do. This is the truth that countless rulers have failed to recognize, leading to bloodshed among various races.”
As I conversed with the Crown Princess, the Wind Spirit King smiled gently.
I wasn’t sure if a tiger could smile, but he certainly seemed to be in a good mood.
“It’s only right for a guardian to lead the princess onto the right path.”
“Indeed, that naturalness becomes the foundation for leading oneself and the world toward peace.”
Saying this, the Wind Spirit King lowered his body, allowing the Crown Princess to come down.
“Charlotte, would you care to step down for a moment?”
“Waah… I can’t stop playing?”
“There’s something I want to give you.”
Without any hesitation, the Crown Princess hopped down.
Our little princess is certainly one who’s committed to her desires.
“To the future emperor who will lead harmony and prosperity among the races, may there be illumination.”
With that, the Wind Spirit King gently kissed the Crown Princess’s forehead and patted her shoulders with his foreleg.
“What was that…?”
“A blessing. Since this child’s presence here is also destiny.”
Having unexpectedly received a blessing from the spirit king while just visiting, the Crown Princess blinked in surprise.
“What about the gift!?”
Unaware that she’d received something of great value, she protested vigorously.
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